Senator Thomas Byrne and Cllr Wayne Harding have described recent comments by Deputy Regina Doherty in relation to the Slane bypass as “misinformed and completely unhelpful”.

Deputy Doherty stated on LMFM on Friday that “a decision was made to enforce a HGV ban” in Slane and in a subsequent press release that a HGV ban needs to be enforced in Slane.

Senator Byrne and Cllr Wayne Harding have since been told by senior officials of Meath County Council (the relevant authority) that they have no knowledge of this.

Senator Byrne stated “Deputy Doherty sat at a meeting in Meath County Council with me last winter where we were informed that a HGV ban would bring only marginal benefits to Slane and would cause real and dramatic traffic safety issues as far as way as Kilmoon Cross and Kentstown. However, Deputy Doherty in a rush to attack a political opponent rang in to a live radio show on Friday morning to announce the supposed enforcement of the HGV ban. I was shocked at Deputy Doherty’s announcement on the radio but on live radio I accepted it at face value from a Government TD. I have since been assured by Meath County Council officials that the position has not changed (on the HGV ban) since Deputy Doherty and myself met them last year.”

Cllr Wayne Harding stated “I am really at a loss as to why these statements are being made as other elected members within her party are well informed about the issues in Slane and I would not believe they would issue such an ill informed statement. Deputy Doherty’s statement has caused huge confusion in Slane. I am glad that Senator Thomas Byrne raised the issue of the Slane Bypass in the Seanad and like many in Slane, I was very annoyed that Minister Varadkar stated that he had no official responsibility in the matter.”

Hey Micheal Martin, whats this rubbish about you defending 180 Garda statements that didn't hold up in Court.. What strokes you trying to pulling in saving this broken institutions face.
A) Disband it, its too steeped in civil war politics.
B) Establish a new force with a separate investigative wing.
C) As the Police are a seperate institution to politics then make the new Commissioner an electable position to ensure public confidence instead of 'political' confidence (other countries do it)